King Ranch, Inc. seeks a land professional based in South Texas within a reasonable daily driving distance to King Ranch to work within its Minerals Team. The successful candidate will preferably have a minimum of eight (8) years of Texas land experience with an emphasis on surface and field-based landwork, including: public and private record title research, energy related negotiations, contract drafting, title curative, environmental matters, and landowner relations. This position will report directly to the Houston-based Director of Land Services and Natural Resources and will require in-person and remote teamwork with multiple internal and external stakeholders and business partners. Title and salary will be commensurate with background and experience.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Serve as point person to conduct, coordinate, monitor and lead site visits on King Ranch with respect to energy and natural resource-related activities, including: site staking; facility construction and decommissioning; pipeline and cathodic protection system siting, installation, maintenance and removal; recent and historical spill sites; ex situ excavation sites; environmental, archeological, botanical and other wildlife studies, etc.
• Preparations, drafting and negotiations related to various requisite contracts and transactions, including: surface use agreements, rights-of-way, solar leases, oil and gas leases, surface and subsurface easements, rights of entry, road use agreements, water usage or disposal agreements, surface acquisitions, damage settlements, liability releases and other energy related agreements.
• Communicate with Ranching & Wildlife and/or Security team members to coordinate third-party access related to other ranch activities (especially during hunting season) and to help identify optimal locations for power lines, pipelines, roads, tower sites, temporary easements, brush clearing, or other access requested by third parties related to energy and natural resources.
• Efficiently research public and private records to determine underlying title issues related to surface and mineral ownership, potential fence line disputes and other potential third-party title claims.
• Review and ensure compliance with terms and conditions contained in various oil, gas and mineral leases, surface use agreements, and other contracts to manage third-party contractual obligations and commitments and provide recommendations for enforcement, renewals, rental obligations, etc.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of King Ranch’s history, third-party relationships, key structures, events, and sensitivities, as to land holdings both on and off the historic 825,000-acre “home ranches”, to provide context to future energy or natural resource-related strategy, operations, partnerships and/or opportunities.
• Build and foster rapport with neighboring surface owners, lessees, government officials and industry counterparts; represent King Ranch at state and local regulatory meetings, and participate in stakeholder engagement events, as requested.
• Actively participate in relevant meetings and apprise management regarding strategic land issues; ensure land records are properly handled in accordance with company policy; and coordinate research and mapping efforts with land administration and GIS functions.
• Assist in administering the King Ranch Pass Program and ensuring compliance with the King Ranch Rules.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned by manager.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Certified Professional Landman in good standing with AAPL.
• Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Land Management, Energy Commerce or related undergraduate degree; strong preference for candidates with a Master of Business Administration or law degree.
• Eight (8) years of Texas-based surface and field landwork. Renewable energy and/or governmental affairs experience is a plus.
• In-depth knowledge of Texas energy, real property and contract law, with experience interpreting, drafting and negotiating related contracts in coordination with legal counsel.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to multi-task projects and work with various people in different departments.
• Strong Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and other software skills. ArcGIS and Google Earth experience a plus.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• The primary office location will be on the King Ranch premises just outside of Kingsville, TX. Many days will include travel to various field locations on the ranch or to nearby County courthouses. The option to office from home is not available for this position. We may be open to considering candidates currently living in other markets.
• Transportation arrangements are open for discussion, but a successful applicant must have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and pass pre-screening and future random drug and alcohol testing.
• Occasional overnight travel whether Houston or another South Texas area is expected.
• Must possess the ability to work in a standard office setting with standard office equipment, read printed and digital materials, and communicate by phone, in person, or on Zoom/Teams virtual meetings.

Corporate Benefits include:

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, 401(k), discretionary bonuses, PTO, holidays, maternity/paternity leave